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HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 1/11/20241 Minutes of the Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting 4:00pm, January 11, 2024 Meeting was held Remotely through Microsoft Teams and in person in the Bayfield County Board Room, Washburn, WI Members Present: Dennis Pocernich, Jeff Silbert, Mary Dougherty, Fred Strand, Brett Rondeau, Jeremy Oswald Members Excused: Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kris Kavajecz-Human Resources Director, Kim Mattson-Finance Manager, Kelli Peterson-UW Educator, Madelaine Rekemyer, Marty Milanowski, Bill Bailey-CheqBay Renewables, Gail Reha-Bookkeeper, Mary Pardee-UW Educator, Deidre Zifko-Clerk of Court, Mike Carriveau-Bayfield Wireless Called to order at 4:00p.m. by Chairman Rondeau Motion Pocernich, Strand to approve minutes of the November 9, 2023 Executive Committee Meeting. Motion Carried (6-0) Public Comment: None Strategies to address Population Demographic Changes in Bayfield County, Kellie Pederson: Presentation was reviewed. Kelli described the age demographic trend and explained that the county and other entities will need to evaluate their strategies for recruitment, succession planning, collaboration efforts going forward anticipating that there will be significantly smaller pool of eligible workers. Entities should be brainstorming ways to engage the older population in employment roles and evaluating what services may be able to be reduced or consolidated due to lack of staff availability. EIGP Resolution to Public Service Commission: Energy Innovation Grant Program will have a new round of grants available. Bill Bailey shared data from the recent microgrid project that went live. He also shared cost-share details and Tax credit information for Phase Two Grant consideration. A diagram was reviewed indicating location options for solar arrays. Recommendation is to allocate approximately $100,000 match, resulting in roughly an $800,000 grant project. The goal for phase two is to increase the existing battery capacity. Motion Strand, Dougherty to forward the EIGP grant support resolution to the County Board and recommend for approval. Motion Carried (6-0) The Committee agreed to hear the report about the Elected Official Wages at this time. Abeles- Allison reported that salaries must be established prior to papers being taken out. The last 2 years of the term have traditionally been used as a guide for the first two years of the overlapping elected officers’ term. In the past, the board has designated a County Board member to meet with 2 the County Administrator and elected officials to develop a proposal/recommendation for wages. Pocernich has agreed to serve as the board member on this committee. Wireless Partnership Agreement with Bayfield Wireless.: The meeting packet contained a copy of the existing agreement with Bayfield Wireless for space on county communication towers. Mike Carriveau with Bayfield Wireless shared concerns with some of the proposed zoning ordinance modifications as they may impact cellular/broadband expansion as well as existing infrastructure. Mike requested to be a part of the zoning code rewrite process through the spirit of the public-private partnership agreement. RAISE Grant Resolution: Grant is due the end of February. 12% contribution is proposed in the application. Motion Pocernich, Strand to approve the Raise Grant resolution and forward to the full county board for approval. Motion Carried (6-0) Fund Balance Assignment Resolution: Abeles-Allison reviewed a resolution designating fund balances. Motion Pocernich, Strand to approve the Fund Balance Assignment Resolution and forward to the full county board for approval. Motion Carried (6-0) 2023 Coroner Budget Amendment Resolution: Motion Strand, Pocernich to approve the Coroner budget amendment resolution and forward to the full county board for approval. Motion Carried (6-0) 2023 PSAP Budget Amendment: The amendment corrects budget figures that were included in the sheriff’s office budget, which should have been included in the dispatch budget. Motion Pocernich, Silbert to approve the PSAP budget amendment and forward to the county board for approval. Motion Carried (6-0) Bayfield County Credit Card Policy/Procedure and User Agreement: Abeles-Allison reported that the policy and agreement will replace the existing process. The committee inquired if corporation counsel has reviewed the policy and agreement. Motion Pocernich, Silbert to approve the Credit Card Policy and Agreement contingent upon Corporation Counsel review. Motion Carried (6-0) Reports: a. Financial Reports end of December 2023 : The current year-end report is showing some departments over budget, primarily as a result of the mid-year wage adjustments. Overall, the general fund is at 94% of budgeted expenditures. Human Services and Highway are both under budget, but anticipate a number of expenditures still to be received. b. Treasurer’s Report, end of December 2023: Year-end balance $25.2million, the year-end balance in 6 years. c. Pigeon Lake Right of Entry: Access has been granted by the UW to assess the condition of the property and facilities. 3 d. Comprehensive Planning Implementation Calendar: The Comp Plan has been completed. A significant component addresses implementation. Committees and Departments will be asked for regular progress updates related to the Comp Plan goals. e. Elected Constitutional Officer Wage Setting, End of March f. Youth in Governance Program: This initiative is being implemented by the UW Youth Educator to incorporate youth into local government governance. g. Courthouse In-Service, Monday January 15, 2024 MLK Day (Courthouse Closed to the Public): Motion Pocernich, Silbert to enter Closed Session pursuant to §19.85(1) (c) Considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility (e) Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding: h. November 9, 2023 Closed Session Minutes i. County Administrator Evaluation / Contract Review j. Northern Lights Management Plan Motion Carried (6-0 ). Entered closed session at 5:44 pm. Motion Pocernich, Dougherty to return to open session. Motion Carried (6-0 ). Returned to open session at 5:48 pm. Abeles-Allison reported that he just received an email from the state awarding the county $480,094 to offset the cost of the tribal land taxation issue. Meeting adjourned at 5:50pm. Respectfully submitted by Kristine Kavajecz.